I was born August 12, 2006, about 12 weeks early, weighing 1 lb 8 oz. I was hospitalized for 514 days, 6 months in NICU and 11 months in PICU, and I finally got to go home for the first time on January 7th, 2008. I've been working really hard to grow my lungs bigger and stronger so I can eventually get off my ventilator and do all the things other kids do. I'm pretty tough but my smile will charm you.

Friday, December 7, 2007

We'll be home for Christmas!

Kiera is doing great! Her vent is at a rate of 26 and holding, pressure support of 14, and O2 of 30%. We haven't tried to ween the rate and pressure support lower, as per my request and the agreement of the pulmonary team, because they tried 24 twice, and I felt she didn't like it. I figured we may have to go up on O2 once back in ABQ and didn't want them to go too crazy and then have to backtrack in ABQ. There's always time for weaning there after we're on the LTV. They are shooting for sending us back to Pres next Thursday the 13th! Mom and Dad cancelled their return flights and are just going to drive the car back for us. Kiera got a G-tube button (actually a Mic-Key to be technical) today and had a swallow study which went well with no aspiration. Now she can have therapeutic tastes of puree baby foods stage 2 and nectars. Tastes are really only about 10cc's or 2 teaspoons, but it's still fun to get her bibs dirty. She did not care for the her first taste of carrots, but fruits seem acceptable to her highness.

Kiera's peek-a-boo game

Kiera's First Love, July 2007

About Me

I was born on August 12, 2006, after an emergency C-Section. I was about 12 weeks premature. 1 lb. 8 oz., a little underweight for a 28-weeker. Mostly, aside from my Chronic Lung disease from the early delivery, and having to live with a trachiostomy and a respirator, and beating my Pulminary Hypertension and thickening of my heart walls, all-in-all I am doing fine.

bornalivetruth.org

Kiera's NICU Days

I didn't start the blog till Kiera was 6 months old and in danger of dying; so here are some early days pics for those who didn't know her when she was so small.

Mommy's first chance to hold Kiera on day 2, just over the heated bed.

First Kangaroo Cuddle at 5 days old, 1 lb 6oz, she lost a little weight like all babies after birth.

2 lb princess

Take Daddy's hand

Mommy gives Kiera a sponge bath, weight about 3 lbs

In the 3 lb range, the blanket is a security blanket or burp cloth size, folded in half. When I got it as a gift before she was born, I thought, "What a ridiculously small blanket!" It ended up being just perfect for her.